Warning of increased wildfire risk

The Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) is raising awareness about the increased risk of wildfire across most parts of Scotland over the next few days - as weather forecasters predict very dry conditions.

Vice chair of the Scottish Wildfire Forum, Michael Bruce, monitors the European Commission’s European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).

This provides vital information which can be used to inform the public about the risk of wildfire.

He said: “At the start of spring there is often a lot of dead vegetation leftover from last year.

“This fuel can dry out quickly when there is overnight frost, followed by sunny days with higher temperatures and lower humidity levels.

“We have a high pressure weather system developing across Scotland creating these conditions at the moment.”

It is now the time of year when the risk of wildfire is at its highest and The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is already working closely with land managers and appealing to tourists and communities to help reduce the number fires in a bid to protect the countryside and its residents.